I can't imagine a World Cup without Brazil and Argentina do you?
But I can imagine it now without England easily<g>
USA looked great against S. Africa 4-0. That Cobi Jones had two goal rockets and set up the other two...I just can't see how that guy escaped a big European contract so far.
Still in Argentina these days drinking wine?
Brazil, Argentina earn hard-fought World Cup wins
By Brian Homewood
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 4 (Reuters) - Favourites Brazil and Argentina both earned hard-fought 1-0
World Cup qualifying wins on Sunday to stay on course for Japan and South Korea in two years time.
Brazil beat Peru away in a tense and absorbing match in Lima while Argentina needed a late and
spectacular goal by substitute Gustavo Lopez to break Bolivia's resistance in Buenos Aires.
Colombia won their first match as they overcame rank outsiders Venezuela 3-0 in Bogota while the
two games played Saturday saw home wins for Paraguay against Ecuador and Uruguay against Chile.
Brazil's winner came from central defender Antonio Carlos, who latched onto a long ball over the Peru
defence and calmly slipped the ball past the advancing goalkeeper Miguel Miranda in the 35th minute.
Brazil striker Edmundo, recalled after a two-year absence, was sent off near the end for a violent
two-footed tackle as the 1998 World Cup runners-up were finally punished for a cynical approach.
Brazil halted Peru's best moves in midfield with systematic fouling, a tactic allowed to pay off by a
lenient Argentine referee.
Peru, missing key midfielder Nolberto Solano and striker Claudio Pizarro through suspension,
dominated the second half but could not translate their possession into clearcut goalscoring chances.
Roberto Palacios was closest with a long-range effort two minutes from time.
Brazil coach Wanderley Luxemburgo admitted it was not a pretty display by his team but said future
performances would be similar.
``We can't deceive the Brazilian people. The qualifying matches will all be like this, we will qualify for
the World Cup but we will do it suffering and hurting,'' he said.
Bolivia were equally defiant in Buenos Aires, despite having Marcelo Caballo sent off in the second
half for a second bookable offence.
Roger Suarez was agonisingly close to giving Bolivia a shock first-half lead and although Argentina
dominated after the break, a 62,000 crowd suffered until the 82 minute when Lopez fired home a left
foot volley from 25 minutes.
Argentina stayed top with a maximum nine points from three games, followed by Brazil on seven.
Paraguay and Uruguay both moved onto six following their wins on Saturday, when Paraguay beat
Ecuador 3-1 in Asuncion and Uruguay overcame Chile 2-1 in Montevideo. Chile have made a very
shaky start with only one point out of a possible nine.
Hugo Brizuela, standing in for the injured teenage striker Roque Santa Cruz, scored twice for
Paraguay.
Colombia moved on to five points thanks to goals by Alex Viveros, Ivan Ramiro Cordoba and Rene
Valenciano. Venezuela were left with no points and no goals scored. |
